ZCZC
BSP-25
CRICKET-DHAKA-CUMILLA-BBPL
Tamim, Perera hands Dhaka facile victory against Cumilla
DHAKA, Dec 13, 2019 (BSS)- Thisara Perera came up with sterling all-round performance before opener Tamim Iqbal hit back in form as Dhaka Platoon secured a 20-run victory over Cumilla Warriors in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium here today.
Tamim’s 74 off 53, studded by six fours and four sixes was complemented by Perera’s 17 ball-42 not out and Dhaka recovered from a shaky start to post a respectable 180-7.
Perera later triggered collapse in Cumilla innings with 5-30, including the key wicket of dangerman Dasun Shanaka to help his side restrict Cumilla to 160-9. This was Dhaka’s first victory after suffering a shocking nine-wicket defeat to Rajshahi Royals in the opening match. It was however Cumilla’s first defeat, having won the game against Rangpur Ringers by 105 runs.
After being sent to bat first, Dhaka lost opener Anamul Haque Bijoy in the first ball, when Mujeeb Ur Rahman had him leg-before with a turning delivery. Abu Haider Rony then dismissed Mahedi Hasan (12) to leave Dhaka 26-2. Considering the off-form of Tamim, it looked Dhaka headed towards another low score but that was not to be.
After some nervy moments in the crease, Tamim finally got him settled increase and brought out all kind of shots from his repertoire to make the Cumilla bowlers disarray.
With Laurie Evans, he shared 75-run for the third wicket to set the platform, which later was utilized well by Thisara Perera.
After the dismissal of Evans for 23, Perera came down heavily on the Cumilla bowlers to wheel the scoreboard at massive pace. Tamim meanwhile played one shot too many to be dismissed by Shanaka.
Captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza also joined the party with Perera to help the side post a daunting total.
Perera struck seven fours and one six in his knock.
Shanaka and Soumya picked up two wickets apiece for Cumilla while Mujeeb conceded just 15 runs in his four overs to grab one wicket.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa gave the kind of start what Cumilla needed to gun down such big target. But Mashrafe stemmed the run flow, by rattling Rajapaksa’s stump after his 12 ball-29.
Soumya Sarkar and Dawid Malan kept the side in the hunt before Wahab Riaz got the better of the batsman for 35.
Cumilla was in the race still but Perera decided to stamp his authority with bowling also as he came up with double strike to remove Sabbir Rahman and Dasun Shanaka in consecutive deliveries.
Shanaka scripted Cumilla’s victory against Rangpur Rangers with 31 ball-75 not out but here his golden duck evaporated any kind of chance against Dhaka.
Malan and Mahidul Islam Ankan fought but the asking run rate climbed at such alarming rate that they were unable to produce even any threat. Amid Cumilla’s struggle, Perera scalped three wickets in his last over, including consecutive two wickets in last two deliveries to sit on hat-trick.
Malan was the highest scorer for the side with 40 while Ankan made 37.
Wahab Riaz took 2-16 to complement Perera’s second five-for in his T20 career.
BSS/SMP/MRU/2310hrs